This Is Why Kangaroos Are Considered Pests In Australia
While kangaroos are iconic and beloved in Australia, they can often be nuisances to the public. These unique animals are cherished symbols of the country, but their interactions with humans and other animals and their impact on the environment can be problematic.
Kangaroo attacks can be deadly due to their powerful kicks and strong grip. A red kangaroo, for instance, can deliver a kick with 759 pounds of force! Here are some problems associated with kangaroos.
Crop Damage
Kangaroos can be detrimental to agricultural crops. They graze on vegetation and as a result, destroy valuable crops and impact farmers’ livelihoods. Fences don’t help because Kangaroos have massive hind legs that enable them to jump up to 25 feet in the air!
Road Hazards
Kangaroos are involved in a significant number of vehicle-animal collisions. According to Australia’s National Roads and Motorists’ Association, they account for over 80% of such incidents reported annually. There are over 20,000 vehicle-animal collisions in Australia every year.
Human Safety
Kangaroos can pose risks to human safety, not just when they venture onto roads or highways. Though rare, they can be aggressive and attack humans. The kick force of a kangaroo is truly remarkable. A red kangaroo can deliver a kick with 759 pounds of force. To put it into perspective, that’s equivalent to the weight of a grand piano!
Dog Attacks
Statistics show that kangaroo attacks on dogs occur pretty often. The Australian Veterinary Association has documented numerous incidents, some resulting in the death of dogs. This issue is widespread across different regions of Australia.
Overpopulation
There are almost twice as many kangaroos as people in Australia. Their large numbers can overwhelm the local ecosystems and strain resources. Human activities have led to the extinction of some of the kangaroo’s natural predators, such as the thylacine. This lack of predation contributes to population growth.
Conservation Efforts Jeapordized
Dr Charlotte Mills says, “Rabbits and other introduced herbivores like goats are often considered the main contributor to overgrazing in Australia, but we found kangaroos had a greater impact on the land, and on the grass in particular.”
Fence Damage
Kangaroos can easily jump over fences but can also easily break down fences. This allows livestock to escape onto highways. Kangaroos also tangle wires which renders electric fences ineffective.
Competition With Livestock
Kangaroos compete with livestock for limited resources such as pasture and water. This can strain available resources and negatively affect livestock.
Erosion
Kangaroos contribute to soil erosion by overgrazing and stripping landscapes of grasses. Their constant nibbling and stripping of grasses can leave landscapes vulnerable to erosion, particularly in areas already struggling to maintain soil stability.
Habitat Impact
Kangaroo herds can quickly wipe out native plants and flora. Their voracious appetite can lead to the rapid depletion of vegetation, depriving other animals of food and disrupting the ecosystem’s delicate balance.
Grip Strength
Kangaroos are among the strongest animals when it comes to gripping power. Their firm grip can easily crush bones and break branches. Their powerful muscles and well-developed shoulders contribute to this strength.
Culling The Population
States establish a harvest limit for the kangaroo meat and leather industry every year. However, the industry consistently falls short of this quota. For instance, in 2019, government data indicated a quota of 6.2 million kangaroos, yet only 1.57 million were harvested.
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